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Beware the Search for "Gifted"
Middle School Math Students
In a recent exchange on the Middle-L listserve, a principal
in Pennsylvania wrote:
We are exploring an accelerated math program for middle school students
and would be interested in knowing what other middle schools use to identify
gifted math students. Are there other reliable prognostic tests besides
the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test? Do any schools offer geometry to middle
school students? How does an accelerated math program fit in the middle
school concept? I would appreciate any insights or information that you
could offer.
And another Pennsylvania principal replied:
BEWARE THE SEARCH FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS WHO ARE "GIFTED" IN MATH!
The idea is nice, but the devil is in the details. All too often the realities
of aggressive, politically astute parents and overzealous educators override
the placement criteria and substantial numbers of kids are accelerated inappropriately.
We have found, after six years of such a program, that middle school math
achievement has fallen overall (even though the NUMBER of students in accelerated
classes has grown), and that the major problem with students in advanced
math classes in high school is that they do not have the background necessary
to really handle the content.
Again the concept is fine... just be sure that your criteria are clear and,
frankly, rigid. IMHO, kids who are on the boarderline, or just plain close,
should NOT be accelerated in middle school. They will have the opportunity
to accelerate later (either via regular school program or summer school)
as the developmental end kicks in and confirms that it is a viable option.
Better to err on this end than to look back 3-4 years later and realize
that this kid has barely been cutting it. In short, I'm happier with a kid
who gets A's and B's with performance-based grades (i.e., not homework and
other responsibility-based grades) in a lower level class, than with a kid
who gets C's in an accelerated class. Again, IMHO, if a student is appropriately
accelerated, that student should be able to maintain at least a B average.
If not, than the acceleration is probably not the right decision for the
middle school youngster.
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